Apple Will Not Allow Parts Pairing in iPhone Repairs: State Legislators Aren’t Wanting to See It, But They Will Effort

Apple will allow for the use of used parts in iPhone repairs, a reversal of previous rules about using new parts.

Apple is more serious about tracking used components. It was announced that the Activation Lock feature will be extended to prevent thieves from using a lost or stolen device to buy new parts for the phone. If a supported part is obtained from another device with Lost Mode enabled, Apple says, the calibration capabilities for that part will be restricted.

The change will apply to displays, batteries, and cameras at launch. Future releases of the iPhone will have facial recognition technology, such as Face ID or Touch ID.

Apple also began offering some manuals and tools for people to repair their own devices in 2022, and it expanded those after California passed a law last year requiring manufacturers to make these materials available.

Last month, Oregon became home to the first right-to-repair law banning parts pairing. The law takes effect in January 2025. A hearing on a bill that would ban parts pairs is scheduled for Thursday in the Colorado state senate. Apple did not respond to a request for comment on these measures.

“Let’s be 100 percent clear: This move is because of state lawmakers pushing back on this practice,” says Nathan Proctor, senior director of the campaign for the right to repair for the Public Interest Research Group. This move cannot happen unless state lawmakers say they don’t want to do it.

Is a Phone Theoretical? Viewpoint on Apple’s How–To forbid the Use of a Part on a Smartphone

Apple announced updates, too, that may make iPhone theft less appealing in the future. The company says it will not allow the parts from phones that have been reported stolen or lost to be used in a different phone. It also will begin showing people in their settings if a part on their phone is a new or used genuine part.